A Chögyal Phagpa (Chungava) thangka typically portrays Chögyal Phagpa, an important figure in Tibetan Buddhism and the fifth patriarch of the Sakya school. He is known for his significant contributions to the spiritual and political landscape of Tibet, including the creation of the Tibetan script. In a thangka, Chögyal Phagpa is often depicted seated in a dignified posture, embodying both spiritual authority and profound wisdom.
Chögyal Phagpa is usually shown wearing the robes of a high lama, often in red and orange hues, which signify his monastic life and his affiliation with the Sakya school. His face is depicted with a calm and composed expression, reflecting his deep meditative state and spiritual attainment. In some thangkas, he holds a vajra in one hand, symbolizing indestructible truth and compassion, and a bell in the other, representing wisdom.
